Los Angeles will host 2018 NBA All-Star game

The 67th annual NBA All-Star Game will be held in Los Angeles for a league-record sixth time, which was announced by league officials on Tuesday night prior to the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

“Los Angeles is known for first-class hospitality and entertainment, making it the perfect host for NBA All-Star,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “The city is home to some of the most passionate basketball fans in addition to extraordinary facilities, including Staples Center and L.A. Live.”

It marks the third time in a 15-year time span that NBA All-Star Weekend will be held at Staples Center. The Forum in Inglewood held the event in 1972 and 1983 while the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena held it in 1963.

In the first two All-Star Games that were held at Staples Centers, a Lakers’ player took home the honor of All-Star Game MVP with Shaquille O’Neal winning the honor in 2004, and Kobe Bryant in 2011. Jerry West won it in 1973.

“We are proud that the NBA has selected Staples Center, L.A. Live and the L.A. Convention Center to host NBA All-Star for the third time in just 14 years,” said Dan Beckerman, who is the AEG President and CEO. “All-Star in Los Angeles will bring worldwide attention, thousands of fans and over $100 million of economic activity to our City. We believe that L.A. Live, with its variety of venues, hotels and other hospitality options, creates a true headquarters district that will be the ideal showcase for NBA All-Star 2018.

Other cities vying for the event included Miami and Indianapolis, Sacramento also hoped to host the 2018 game, as they just opened their new arena this year. However, they turn their sights to the 2019 bid, according to USA Today.

The last six games were held in the Eastern or Central regions of the NBA, which are usually cold in February. The 2017 event will be held in Charlotte, N.C. Hence, the warm climate of Los Angeles will be a welcomed addition to the All-Star weekend festivities.

“All-Star is a premiere event, so it’s fitting that it’ll be hosted by Los Angeles, the premiere sports city in America, and by Staples Center, one of the premiere arenas in the world,” said Los Angeles Lakers President and Co-Owner Jeanie Buss. “2004 and 2011 proved what a great combination this is, and 2018 will prove it again.”

Neither the Los Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers are official hosts of the events. Both franchises will share the responsibilities. Available flights to Los Angeles can be found at hipmunk.com for those interested in attending, as well as hotels in LA for as low as $79.

Pete D. Camarillo only loves sports and writing. He tried combining those passions with his degree in Journalism at CSUN. He's had work published on Fansided, Endzone Score, Inquisitr, Elite Daily and several print publications. Pete also did community relations with the L.A. Clippers during the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter @petecertified.